NovelEnglishStella was frozen in place, stunned.
Had Cedric Clarke overheard them? Briony looked just as caught off guard.
"Uh... what a coincidence," Stella stammered, forcing a chuckle as she glanced at Cedric. "I just got here, and you showed up right after." Cedric's face remained impassive as he stepped into the room, a stack of test results in his hand.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe didn't spare Stella a glance. Instead, he looked straight at Briony, his voice calm and clear. "While you were unconscious, Dr. Riley and I ran a full set of tests. This is your latest bloodwork. Yesterday, we held a consult with the heads of both internal medicine and integrative therapies. Right now, the recommended approach is to combine conventional treatment with holistic care. We're holding off on chemotherapy for now-you're too weak, and the side effects would be too much for your body to handle." Briony had long since cto terms with her illness.
After everything she'd endured in Nortia, she'd learned to accept what cher way.
But with two children depending on her, no matter how hard things got, she clung to every sliver of hope and did everything she could to fight.
She gave Cedric a small, steady smile. "I trust you. I'll do whatever you needto do." Cedric's gaze softened a touch. "Your outlook matters, too. Try not to dwell on the anxiety." "I understand. I'll do my best." "Alright, then. I'll leave you to rest." Cedric set the report on the bedside table, nodded briefly at Briony, and turned to leave.
Stella stood there, speechless.
He really just walked out without even acknowledging her.
Briony watched her. "Your husband's upset. Aren't you going after him?" "As if!" Stella huffed, her pride flashing. "If he's really angry about something I just blurted out, then he clearly doesn't understand me-or love me!" "Star." Briony frowned, her tone suddenly serious. "Sthings you just can't say, even if you don't mean them." "He just doesn't get me!" Stella's frustration boiled over. "Take this whole thing with weaning Aster-he and my mom are completely on the sside. They both think it's too soon, but Aster's almost a year old! I've been trying to wean him since he was six months, but every the gets a fever, I have to stop." "These things are worth talking through together," Briony said gently. "And about Mrs. Joyner-if you feel she's interfering too much, talk to Cedric. Tell him honestly what's bothering you. I think he'd understand." "He won't!" Stella snapped, her voice tight. "He's againstgoing abroad for school, too! Just like my mom. Both of them think that since I'm married and have a child, my whole life should revolve around the family. But what about my dreams? Aster will grow up someday-am I supposed to wait until then to pursue what I want? By then I'll be how old?" Briony was starting to piece things together.
Stella wanted to study overseas, but Cedric probably couldn't bear the thought of being apart. He and Scarlett Joyner had joined forces to talk her out of it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmCedric figured with Scarlett backing him up, Stella would just give in and let the idea go.
But Stella wasn't the type to respond well to pressure. The harder they pushed, the more stubborn she became.
Briony sighed. "Whatever happens, as long as there's no unforgivable m mistake in your mariage, don't throw the word divorce' around lightly. For people who truly love each other, it's a wound that's hard to heal." Stella looked a little sheepish at that.
"I was just venting..."
"I know." Briony reached over and squeezed her hand, her voice gentle. "Our Stars, a good person. You may be stubborn, but you love Dr. Clarke with albyour heart. You keep saying you want to live for yourself, but when have you ever not put Aster's needs first?"
"Bryn, you always get me!" Stella's voice wavered as she hugged Briony, You her eyes shining. "So you have to'get better, okay? If you're gone, who will I have to confide in-who else is as smart and beautiful and understanding as you?" "I promise, I'll do my best to live to a hundred." Briony patted her on the shoulder, her tone playful, as if she were soothing little Nina. "Now, are you ready to go make up with your husband?" "Only because you still need him to treat you," Stella sniffed, putting on an air of reluctant pride, "I'll go and talk to him. Just this once!" Briony shook her head, smiling. "You're hopeless. Go on, be nice to him for a change."
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